Preparing South Africa’s future Agripreneurs

EARN in South Africa prepares young people to become entrepreneurs in horticulture. Participants combine technical and business knowledge with practical experience. In a series of projects, PUM experts have collaborated with EARN to further develop this approach. Recently, expert Tjaart Hofman focused on horticultural training and production practices. EARN’s ultimate ambition is for Agripreneurs to develop viable horticultural businesses and create new opportunities in their communities.

Enterprising Africa Regional Network (EARN) is a South African company with the ambition to create opportunities for young people through entrepreneurship. Its agricultural training and development activities are organised through African Greeneurs, with horticultural training and production activities at three locations in Gauteng and Mpumalanga. One of its key initiatives is the Agripreneur Development Programme, which prepares young people to establish and run their own horticultural businesses.

The programme combines learning and practice. Participants start with a three-month Activate Phase, developing a foundation in Agripreneurship. This is followed by nine months Accelerate Phase of practical training, during which they develop their horticultural and business skills. Participants then progress into a 24-month Accelerate Transition Phase, during which they establish, launch and grow their own agribusinesses.

Upon completing the programme, participants continue operating and growing their businesses, with ongoing coaching and support from EARN to strengthen sustainability, market access and long-term business performance.

Long-term colaboration

PUM’s collaboration with EARN started in 2024. During the first project, PUM expert Jaap van den Beukel explored EARN’s organisation, activities and ambitions and identified areas for further development. In 2025, expert Marjo Baeten focused specifically on the Agripreneur Development Programme. Together with EARN, she looked at how the curriculum could become more structured and competency-based, with a stronger connection between theory, practical learning and personal development.

In July 2026, PUM expert Tjaart Hofman spent three weeks with EARN. His project built on these earlier steps, with a particular focus on the horticultural content of the programme and the connection between classroom learning and what participants encounter in the greenhouse and field.

Reviewing materials and production

Tjaart reviewed the agricultural training materials and developed additional content on integrated pest management, crop diseases and the safe use of crop protection products. He also taught several sessions to the new group of Agripreneurs who had just started their Activate programme.

At the same time, he visited EARN’s horticultural production locations in Centurion, Elandsfontein and Grootvlei. Together with the team, he reviewed production practices and identified opportunities to improve crop management. One important recommendation was to move towards integrated pest management, using crop monitoring to determine when biological or chemical crop protection is needed.

Future activities

The project also identified areas where additional practical knowledge could support EARN in the future, including greenhouse design, seedling production and hydroponic cultivation. This allows the collaboration with PUM to develop step by step, responding to the needs that emerge as EARN expands its activities.